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The recent image captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope showcases the faint luminescence of the dwarf elliptical galaxy IC 3430, which resides 45 million light-years away in the Virgo constellation. This galaxy is a member of the Virgo cluster, a diverse assembly of galaxies that includes both large and small members, many of which exhibit characteristics similar to IC 3430.
IC 3430, like its larger elliptical counterparts, possesses a smooth, oval contour devoid of distinct features such as spiral arms or bars. Notably, it lacks a significant amount of gas, which is essential for the formation of new stars. However, what sets IC 3430 apart is the presence of a core filled with hot, massive blue stars—an unusual phenomenon for elliptical galaxies—suggesting recent star formation activity. Astronomers theorize that the pressure generated by IC 3430’s movement through the gas-rich environment of the Virgo cluster may have triggered a reaction, allowing the remaining gas in its core to form new stars.
Dwarf galaxies, characterized by their relatively small number of stars—typically fewer than a billion—can replicate, albeit on a smaller scale, the structures observed in larger galaxies. This category includes various types such as dwarf elliptical, dwarf irregular, dwarf spheroidal, and even dwarf spiral galaxies.
